The kart I've got did not come with a passport. The motor is sealed with a cable and black plastic Rotax numbered thingy, but will this be an issue?

Yes. First of all check your engine number against list of legal in US motors. If it is listed there (somewhere on rmaxchallenge.com and we had link on forum), contact rotax shop to re-establish passport (I beleieve it is still possible).

I guess I got lucky... I wrote the guy I purchased it from who said he found the passport yesterday while organizing his office(!) What are the odds.

Another rule that appears to need my attention is the location of the side pods. I read that I am supposed to run a straight edge from the rear wheel to the front and it's not supposed to touch the pod... is that right? I'll have to take 2" off the pod support pieces that attach to the frame if this is the case. Not a big deal, but it's not something that can be undone!

Sean...how wide do you have your rear wheels set from outer edge to outer edge? The max allowed is 55" in the Senior classes. Double check that dimension before you do anything drastic like cutting metal._________________Rotax Masters
Kosmic Mercury #602